Bermuda Hogges' defender Ernest Signor will miss the opening two games of the Premier Development League (PDL) season because of a badly bruised elbow.

Signor suffered the injury during the Premier and First Division All-Star match a few weeks ago, ruling him out of Hogges' double-header against Reading United at the National Sports Centre on May 28 and 30.

He hopes to return to training early next month before Hogges hit the road for their first trip of the campaign when they will play three games in New Jersey.

"(The injury) happened in the All-Star game. It was a hard challenge and I lost my footing and fell on my right elbow," he said.

"It's not broken but it's badly bruised right on the joint and that's why I have to wear this big contraption on my arm to keep it in place.

"I'll be out for another two weeks so I'll miss our first few games. It's painful for me to be on the sidelines because the training sessions are going on nice. There's been a real good intensity about them."

The St.George's Colts utility man was a surprise call-up for the Hogges and is one of only two of the 26-man squad to be in their thirties.

But despite his maturity in years, Signor accepts that in terms of playing overseas he is far less experienced than many of his younger team-mates.

"I didn't expect to be picked (for the Hogges) but I'm really pleased I was chosen," said Signor, who represented the Bermuda national team during Keith Tucker's short reign as coach.

"We have a strong group of guys. Everyone's very talented and there will be a lot of competition for places.

"To be honest with you some of the young guys have more experience than me. They have already played abroad either for the Hogges or with the national team, whereas this is my first time so they have the step on me.

"I respect them for that but hopefully my extra maturity can help the team."

Signor and his brother David rejoined their boyhood club, St.George's Colts, before the start of last season and marked their return by clinching promotion to the Premier Division.

Previously they had both played under Bermuda Hogges coach Scott Morton at Dandy Town.

"He (Morton) coached me when I used to play for Town and he watched a few St.George's training sessions last season," said Signor. "Obviously he feels I can help out the Hogges this season.

"Even though I was at Town for four season and it felt like home, St.George's is where my heart is, I just had to go back.

"I've been trying to help out the youngsters there and we had a great season getting promoted."